title: Wilms' tumor gene 1 (WT1) in endometrial carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Wilms' tumor gene (WT1), located on chromosome 11, encodes a transcription factor that contributes to the carcinogenesis of uterine sarcomas. To expand the knowledge on the biological role of WT1 in other uterine cancers, we focused on its detection in endometrial carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 36 paraffin-embedded tumors were available for WT1 immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis including endometrial endometrioid carcinoma (n=24), serous carcinoma (n=9) and clear cell carcinoma (n=3). Three slides from different sites of the tumor were analysed. Of these tumors, 32 snap frozen tissue samples were available for RT-PCR (endometrioid carcinoma (23), serous carcinoma (7) and clear cell carcinoma (2)). To compare, WT1 expression was also evaluated by IHC in benign endometrium (12) and benign endometrial polyps (5).
  
  
  RESULTS
  WT1 positivity was noticed in tumor cells and endothelial cells, lining the intratumoral blood vessels. Overall, 72% (26/36) of tumors stained positive for WT1. RT-PCR results showed WT1 positivity in 75% (24/32) of samples. Comparing the staining patterns of the 3 different bioptic sites, tumor heterogeneity was demonstrated in the majority (72%) of samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although WT1 is expressed in a majority of endometrial carcinomas, a heterogeneous staining pattern is observed. This information is important for WT1-directed immunotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Gynaecology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: An
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Coosemans
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moerman
authors.forename: Godelieve
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Verbist
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Maes
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Neven
authors.forename: Ignace
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vergote
authors.forename: Stefaan W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Van Gool
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Amant
mesh_terms: D018262:Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D018269:Carcinoma, Endometrioid / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018284:Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D016162:Genes, Wilms Tumor; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D025721:WT1 Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D025721:WT1 Proteins